Bijinbayashi
Also written: 美人林 · 美丽的森林
A beautiful forest of beech trees about 100 years old, standing in graceful rows. A soothing space that shows the four seasons—from fresh green in spring to colorful leaves in autumn and snow in winter.
An Illustrated Japan / Niigata / Famous Views
About this place
Bijinbayashi, literally Forest of Beauties, lies on a 3-hectare hill in Matsunoyama-Matsuguchi, Tokamachi, Niigata at 311 meters elevation. It contains about 3,000 Japanese beech trees (Fagus crenata) aged 90 to 100 years, unusually tall and straight with smooth pale trunks. Normally beech grows above 1,000 meters, but heavy snow suppresses competing species here, allowing dominance at 300 meters. Its origin is anthropogenic secondary forest: around 1920 the owner clear-cut all beech for charcoal to fund a move to Tokyo, gifting bare land to farmers. The following spring thousands of beech seedlings sprouted simultaneously, growing straight toward light, a process called mimicry growth. Because beech wood warped easily and was low value then, the new owner planned to plant cedar but was enchanted by slender beauty and preserved it. The name is thought to have emerged around 1960 when locals told a timber merchant the upright trees resembled beautiful women. Today it draws about 100,000 visitors yearly, managed by community volunteers who remove fallen branches. Adjacent Kyororo Museum explains satoyama ecology; a small seasonal cafe offers coffee. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship. Visitors enjoy seasonal changes, local food specialties, and easy access via public transport or rental car. Please respect private lands and carry out trash. The site remains a living cultural landscape, its beauty sustained by ongoing community stewardship.
